WINDSOR – The field is crowded in some races.

In others, incumbents will run unopposed.

Filing concluded in Bertie County Tuesday at noon leaving competition for Sheriff, Board of Education District 3 and 4 and County Commissioner District 5.

The sheriff’s race in the county heated up considerably over the final days of filing. Two-term incumbent Sheriff Greg Atkins is being challenged by a pair of law enforcement officer.

S. Daryl Brockington filed for Sheriff early in the filing period and Eddie Graham, a former detective with the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, filed Tuesday.

All three men are seeking the Democratic nomination for Sheriff.

Another twist came when Bertie Board of Education incumbent Seaton Fairless first filed and then withdrew his candidacy to return for a fifth term on the school board.

District 3, which Fairless has represented since his election 15 years ago, will now be represented by either Michael Bracy, a Bertie County native who is an educator, or local political pundit Dean Stephens. Both filed Tuesday.

The District 4 seat on the school board was already contested as Alton Parker has filed for the seat currently held by the Rev. Gary Cordon. Cordon has filed to retain the seat.

The third seat open on the Board, that of District 2, is held by Ricky Freeman, who is running unopposed.

Three-term incumbent Bertie County Commissioner J. Jasper Bazemore filed to retain his seat. He will be opposed by political newcomer Robert Brown Jr.

The two other commissioners whose seats are up – Rick Harrell (D-2nd) and J. Wallace Perry (D-3rd) – have filed and are running unopposed.

Also running without opposition is veteran Clerk of Superior Court John C.P. Tyler (D).